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Efforts to reduce road fatalities

JOBURG – The national road safety strategy aims to drastically reduce road deaths in South Africa.

About 45 people lose their lives in South Africa on a daily basis due to road traffic accidents.

Spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation, Luthando Ngilana wrote in his personal capacity stating that the corporation has strengthened efforts to improve safety on the roads.

Ngilana said a recent study showed that road traffic accidents cost the country about R142.9 billion per annum, impacting the health system, social development and the economic productivity of the country. He also quoted the World Health Organisation which said road traffic injuries are estimated to be the eighth leading cause of death globally, with an impact similar to diseases such as Malaria and HIV/Aids.

“Cognisant of these facts, we have, in the year under review, strengthened our resolve to continue working to improve safety on South African roads by enhancing cooperation and coordination with the spheres of government and improving stakeholder participation in road safety programmes,” said Ngilana.

The national road safety strategy aims to reduce fatal crashes by 50 per cent by 2030 through a holistic view of the road transport system and interactions among roads, roadsides, travel speeds, vehicles and road users.

Ngilana said the corporation has taken over the management of eNatis, enabling them to enhance and integrate road traffic data management systems which will assist them to produce quality data and pursue expansion opportunities.

The corporation has also acquired Boekenhoutkloof Traffic College on a long-term lease from the Gauteng provincial government, allowing them to improve the quality of road traffic services.

Ngilana said the corporation has established community-based structures in all provinces to improve civil society participation in road safety. They have also taken necessary steps to integrate and harmonise traffic law enforcement across the country.

“During the next five years, there will be a great deal of focus on road safety education, engineering and law enforcement. Effective evaluation mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that we evaluate the impact and the difference that our programmes are making ensuring road safety.”

Anti-corruption awareness campaigns and investigations in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies have been put in place to root out corruption.

 

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